Corset.



S. B. GOVINGTON. CORSET. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1909.

/ Patented Aug. 31. 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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SARAH ELLEN covmeron, or BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO CORSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 14, 1909. Serial No. 472,310.

do declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to' which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in corsets.

The object of the invention is to provide a corset constructed and arranged to permit freedom of movement of the waist and abdominal muscles, thus providing for the health and comfort of the wearer.

A further object is to provide a corset having means whereby the lacing and fas- A further object is to provide a corset having an improved bust form.

A still further object is to provide a corset having an improved form of skirt supporter.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully de scribed and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a corset constructed in aecordance with the invention, and showing the front edges open and one of said edges turned back; Fig. 2 is a rear view of'the same showing the arrangement and construe tion of the skirt supporter; Fig. 3 is an inside view of the corset opened out flat, parts of the same being broken away to show the construction of the bust forming device; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of one of the bust forms, and a portion of one side of the corset; and Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 denotes a corset which is constructed in two sections which are laced together at their rear edges in the usual manner. The sections of the corset are provided with a.

series of casings 2, in which are inserted stays 3 which may be of any suitable construction.

Arranged at suitable intervals along the stay casings adjacent to the rear or laced edges of the sections are a series of loops 4 with which are adapted to be engaged hooks 5 on the opposite edges of a fitted gore 6 whichis adapted .to be arranged over the outer side of the lacings thus covering and concealing the same. By providing the loops 4 alongtwo or more of the stay casings on each side of the laced edges of the sections the lacings may be let out or taken up to vary the size of the corset and the hooks on the covering gore. may be engaged with one or the other of a series of loops.

-. Secured to the inner side of the front edge of one of the sections is a fitted closing gore 7 which is provided with a centrally disposed stay casing 8 which is adapted to receive a stay 9, said stay being preferably of less length than the gore. The gore is strength ened along its free edge with a tape or braid 1 10.. Secured to the casing 8 adjacent to its tening devices will be covered and concealed.

lower end are fastening members 12 of which there are preferably two. At the upper end of the casing 8 at the top of the gore is ar ranged a fastening member 13. With the fastening members 12 and 13 are adapted to be engaged the other members 14 of the fastenings, said members 1 1 being secured to the under side of the front edge of the opposite section of the corset whereby when said sections are brought together the fastening members may be engaged, thus securing the corset in position. In addition to the fastening members I provide a supplemental fasteningdevice in the form of a strap 15 secured to the outer side near the front edge of one of the sections, said; strap being adapted to be engaged-with a buckle 16 secured near the front edge of the opposite section. This supplemental fastening is arranged at the waist line of the corset. This arrangement is an improvement over other fastenings in that it enables the wearer or others, to loosen the corset in case of sudden illness or at any other time, Without removing any of the clothing. By providing the fastening members 12, 13 and 1-1 and arranging the same as herein shown and described, said members of the corset will be entirely concealed when the edges of the sections are brought together in a closed position. On the inner sides of the sections of the corset at the waist line is secured a reinforcing strip 17 which extends entirely across each of the sections and is stitched thereto by a row of stitching which secures the stay casings to the outer sides of the sec- Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

tions. On the inner side of the rear or laced edges of the sections, are arranged strengths enmg strips 18 formed of strong coarse material. The lacing eyelets are arranged this material and on the material forming the outer covering of the corset. By providing the strei'igthening strips 18 and arranging the eyelets therein as described the danger of the eyelets tearing out is reduced.

In the upper portion of the front sides of each of the sections are arranged bust forming devices which consist of casings l9 ar ran ed transversely across the bust portion of t e sections and said casings are provided with a filling 20 of curled hair, said hair being stuffed into the casings firmly enough to provide sufficient rigidity to sustain the bust form, and yet be natural to the touch. There may be any desired number of bust forming casings provided, two of the same being here shown as the preferred number.

Secured to the rear side of the corset is a skirt supporter 21, said supporter being of substantially crescent shape and consists of a casing formed of a suitable fabric stuffed with curled hair to impart the desired shape and form thereto. Secured to the opposite ends of the supporter are buckles or other suitable connections 22 which are adapted to be engaged with connecting straps 23 which are secured to the stay casings on the rear side of the sect-ions ad acent to each edge of the lacing covering gore 6. 'The skirt supporter is secured to the corset below the waist line thus forming a reliable and efiicient support for holding the back of the skirt in proper position.

The upper edge of the corset may be trimmed and ornamented in any desired manner and to the lower edges thereof are secured hose supporters.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanyin drawings, the construction and operation 0 the inven tion will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is A corset comprising two sections laced together at the back, two vertical series of loops or eyes arranged at the outer sides of each section near the rear or back edge thereof, an independent gore to cover and conceal said lacings, and vertical rows of books formed at opposite side edges of said gore and adapted to engage either of the series of loops or eyes of the sections, whereby the gore may be adjustably and detachably con nected with the back of the corset, to permit the lacings to be let out or taken up to adjust the size of the corset.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SARAH ELLEN COVINGTON.

Witnesses E. P. CHAMBERLIN, DUNCAN Dow. 

